We Left The Moving Court Of Baatu Fifteen Days Before All Saints, 16th October, And Went Direct Southwards For Sarai, Always Keeping Near The Volga, And There The Volga Divides Into Three Branches Or Arms, Each Almost Twice As Large As The Branch Of The Nile At Damieta.

Besides these, it divides into four lesser arms, so that we had to pass seven branches of the river in boats:

Upon the middle branch, is a village called Sumerkant[2], without any wall, but which was besieged by the Tartars for eight years before they could gain possession, and had formerly cost the Saracens and Alani nine years; for though not fortified, it is surrounded by water. We there found a German and his wife, with whom Gosset had lived all the preceding winter, by the order of Baatu. On the east side of this river Baatu always travels, and Sartach on the west, never going farther south than this place, as there is very good grass in great abundance. Coiacs father, on receiving the letters of Sartach, restored my vestments, except a surplice, an albs, an almic trimmed with fine silk, a stole, a girdle, and a tualia adorned with gold embroidery. He gave me back, likewise, my silver plate, except the censer, and a small box for holding chrism, all of which were with the priest who attended Sartach; and he returned my books, except our ladys psalter, which he kept with my leave, as I could not deny him, for he said Sartach took great delight in it.

Enter page number Go  Previous Next
Page 401 of 810
Words from 109746 to 110005 of 222093